[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 86 (Friday, June 8, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1026-E1027]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 
                                  2013

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. CHRIS VAN HOLLEN

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 31, 2012

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the state of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 5325) making 
     appropriations for energy and water development and related 
     agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2013, and 
     for other purposes:

  Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Mr. Chair, at its best, the Energy and Water 
Appropriations bill sets forth a forward-looking agenda for our 
national investment in ports and waterways, clean energy development, 
environmental reclamation, scientific innovation, the responsible 
management of our nuclear weapons stockpile and our ongoing commitment 
to nuclear nonproliferation. Unfortunately, in too many places, H.R. 
5325 falls short of that forward-looking agenda.
  As Ranking Member of the Budget Committee, I fully understand the 
need to cut federal spending. Indeed, I supported last year's Budget 
Control Act, which cut about $1 trillion in federal spending over the 
next ten years. However, we also need to compete in clean energy, 
science, innovation and advanced manufacturing--and that is where this 
legislation misses the mark.
  For example, this legislation cuts funding for clean energy and 
energy efficiency by $374 million below FY 2012 and $886 million below 
the President's request. The budget for the Department of Energy's 
Office of Science is cut $64 million below current levels and $167 
million below the President's request. And the Advanced Research 
Projects Agency, or

[[Page E1027]]

ARPA E--which is doing transformational, potentially game-changing work 
on behalf of our nation's long term energy security--is provided only 
$200 million, which is $75 million below FY 2012 and $150 million below 
the President's request.
  Additionally, the underlying bill contains a misguided policy rider 
blocking the Administration from restoring long-standing Clean Water 
Act protections for stream and wetlands across the country--and an 
amendment was adopted during floor debate which will block enforcement 
of common sense light bulb energy efficiency standards.
  Mr. Chair, we can do better. I urge a no vote.

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